What is an Honorary Contract?
An Honorary Contract is the mechanism by which a University employee can access NHS facilities and information, whether that be for work, research or training, when they are not employed directly by the relevant Trust. An Honorary Contract is not an employment contract and in no way implies an employer-employee relationship between the clinicians and NHS Trust/body.
What is the difference between an Honorary Research Contract, Honorary Clinical Contract and Honorary Consultant Contract and why are they required?
Honorary Research Contracts are issued to University employees who typically require;
- access to NHS patients and/or
- access to NHS premises and/or
- access to NHS patient data, tissues or organs and/or
- will have a direct impact on patient care.
Honorary Research Contracts are not required when an employee already has an Honorary Clinical Contract with the NHS Trust/body.
Honorary Clinical Contracts are issued when the individual is likely to have direct contact with patients. The majority of honorary contracts issued to junior doctors are Honorary Clinical Contracts.
Honorary Consultant Contracts are issued to Clinical Academics/Researchers that require the doctor to be at the level of Consultant in an NHS Trust/body.
How do I get an Honorary Research Contract or Honorary Clinical Contract?
Honorary Research contracts are issued via the Research Passport process. A Research Passport is the mechanism by which non-NHS staff can obtain an Honorary Research Contract or Letter of Access to enable them to carry out research in the NHS and on NHS premises.
Honorary Clinical Contracts are issued via an honorary contract application processed by the Trust.
Queries relating to honorary contracts should be directed to the relevant departmental HR Team in the first instance. For advice from the Clinical School HR Team, contact cshrclinical@admin.cam.ac.uk.
